Brain-Eating Water Amoeba Found At Idaho, Wyoming Parks
Evidence of a harmful water organism that is known to enter the body through inhalation and digestion and has proven fatal for humans and animals has been detected by health officials at multiple national parks in America, including two in the northwestern United States.
For those in southern Idaho that have plans to travel to area parks in the coming weeks, it's important to know that waters at nearby Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park have detected Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic organism known to enter the noses of swimmers and settle in the brain, which proves fatal in over 95 percent of cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
A Deadly Water Organism Targeting The Brain Has Been Detected At Idaho And Wyoming Parks
The New York Post is reporting that over 32 percent of water samples tested from the parks have revealed what people refer to as the "brain-eating" amoeba.
The illness most commonly enters the body in those who completely submerge themselves in water, so the threat of contracting the deadly amoeba is virtually non-existent to those who walk park grounds near thermal pools and geysers. It is important to stay back and follow path signs within the park to avoid falling into the waters.
READ MORE: Idaho, WA, Utah Boat Owners Beware Of Deadly Water Bacteria
Symptoms from exposure to the organism include high fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, and possibly coma. Seek medical help immediately if you believe you may have ingested Naegleria fowleri.
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